Display device



Patented Dec. 15, 1942 DISPLAY DEVICE Edward H. Torbeck and Warren Dunn, Altamont, 1",; said Dunn assignor to said Torbeck Application April 21, 1941, Serial No. 389,617

2- Claims.

This invention relates to a display device.

An object of the invention is to provide a display device which includes an upstanding revoluble attention arresting member and around the base of which is provided a rotatable platform upon which various items of merchandise may be advantageously displayed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display device having the hereinabove stated characteristics wherein the upstanding, attention arresting member is internally illuminated, uniformly, throughout its entire length by means of an elongated source of light mounted for easy and convenient replacement by one not skilled in the mechanical arts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device having the above described characteristics, which is structurally simple, reliable in operation and low in cost.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in longitudinal section, of the present device.

As disclosed in the drawing, the device may comprise, generally speaking, a base member 10, a turntable II for displaying merchandise, and an upstanding, attention-arresting shaft I2. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, shaft 12 may be provided with a plurality of multicolored spiraled stripes, denoted generally by the numeral 13 which are given an upward flowing effect when they are rotated in a clockwise direction. In order to further augment the effectiveness of the present device, suitable means are provided for simultaneously rotating shaft 12 in a clockwise direction and the display platform II in a counterclockwise direction, whereby articles of merchandise positioned on and carried by the display platform will be continuously moved into, through and out of view of a person observing the device.

Turntable ll may include a. depending side wall l4 and a substantially horizontal merchandise display platform I5 the outer perimeter of which may be provided with an upstanding rim I6 to prevent articles of merchandise placed thereon from walking off incident to rotation of the platform.

Turntable ll may be secured to and carried by flange l1 of an internally toothed support-drive gear l8 to which it may be anchored by means of pins 8, or the like. Gear l8 may include a depending collar l9 having a lower edge 20 which makes a bearing contact with the upper surface 2| of base member III. A rotary motion may be imparted to gear I! by means of gear 22suitably anchored to collar l9 by means of hub 23. Gear 22 may be continuously driven by worm wheel 24 which may be operatively secured to drive shaft 25 of an electric motor, denoted generally by the numeral 26. The lower end of a support member 21, may be securely though releasably anchored to base member Ill whereby to project upwardly therefrom, as shown. If desired, the lower end of support member 21 may terminate in an annular collar 28, leg 23 of which may be secured to base In by means of screws 30. 1

It will be noted that gear I8 is freely rotatable relative to support member 21. A pinion gear 3| mounted for free rotation about post 32 carried by pinion arm 33 rigidly secured to member 21 by means of pin 34, is adapted to transmit a rotary motion from drive gear II to an exteriorly toothed gear 35 which is secured to and carried by the underside of annular disc 36. Gear 35 and disc 36 are freely rotatable relative to support member 21.

Shaft l2 preferably comprises a hollow housing of translucent material, such as glass or the like, the outer surface of which may be provided with suitable indicia, such as spiralled stripes l3,

or the like. The lower portion of shaft 12 may be suitably anchored to the outer perimeter of disc 36 by means of screws 31, or the like, whereby said shaft will be rotated with said disc. The

upper edge of shaft 12 may terminate in a bearshaft 12, and above the upper shoulder 42 of cap 40, as shown. A dome denoted generally by the numeral 43, is adapted to be removably secured to the upper end of member 21, by means of the threaded connection at 44. It will be observed that cap 40 is freely rotatable relative to support member 21 and dome 43.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, support member 21 comprises a length of transparent material, such as clear Tenite, or the like.

Means for illuminating the interior of shaft 12 and dome 43 may be housed interiorly of support member 21. If desired such means may comprise an elongated neon tube 50, or the like, suitably centered within support 21 by means of shims 5| and 52, of cork, rubber, or other suitable substance. A transformer may be mounted to base I0 for supplying the high voltage current necessary to excite the neon gas into luminosity.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that when conduit 6| is connected to a suitable source of electrical ener y, not illustrated, motor 36 and transformer 60 will be energized with the result that shaft l2 and display platform IE will be rotated in opposite directions and shaft l2 and dome 43 will be clearly and distinctly visible by reason of being internally illuminated.

Access to tube 50 may be easily controlled by unscrewing dome 43 from support member 21 for exposing the upper end of the tube without disturbing the rotatable elements of the device.

When in operation, rotating, illuminated indicia-bearing shaft I! very effectively arrests the attention of passers-by, whose attention is then directed to the articles of merchandise carried on platform l5.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications in the structural details of the device bay be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In an illuminated display device; a base, a

platform revoluble upon said base, a hollow translucent indicia bearing member revoluble upon said platform, a hollow, transparent tubular support member fixedly securedto said base and projecting upwardly through said platform and extending coaxially' through and projecting beyond the upper end of said indicia bearing member, a translucent dome removably secured to and carried by the upper end of said support member, a bearing cap supported upon the upp r end of the indicia bearing member and mounted for relative motion between the upper end ofthe indicia bearing member, the lower face of the dome and the support member, said cap adapted to close the upper end of the indicia bearing member and to center the upper end of said member relative to the support member and dome, and an elongated source of illumination extending conxlully through the support member and projecting beyond the upper end of said member into said dome. the lower end of said source of illumination removably secured to said base. said dome controlling access to said source and terminates above said cap, an elongated source of illumination extending axially through said support member and projecting beyond the upper end of said member, a translucent dome removably secured to the upper end of said member, said dome adapted to house that portion of said source of illumination which projects beyond the upper end of said support member, and to control access to said source of illumination, said source of illumination adapted to illuminate the dome and the indicia bearing member throughout substantially its entire length.

EDWARD H. TORBECK. WARREN DUNN. 

